Claimed in Public

During a company dinner, I overindulged in alcohol and mistakenly addressed my boss, Brogan Sheppard, as "husband" in front of everyone. My coworkers laughed it off. "She’s gone crazy trying to chase the boss." Brogan shot me a cold look. "If you can’t control your mouth, maybe you shouldn’t be drinking." In the brief silence that followed, the most difficult client in the room, Leon Williamson, let out a low, mocking laugh. "She was calling me. So why are you getting so worked up?" Chapter 1 It was no secret that I liked Brogan Sheppard. When I went to deliver some documents, I heard voices inside the office. "She’s basically a rich girl, lowering herself to be your assistant. You really don’t care?" Brogan clicked his tongue. "She insisted on coming. What was I supposed to do?" Someone nearby laughed. "True. She’s always liked sticking close to you. After all these years, nothing’s changed." "So, Brogan, you're not planning to get together with her? She probably dreams about being with you every night. Last time her family set her up on a blind date, you called us out for drinks late at night. I thought you actually cared." The moment that sentence landed, Brogan’s mood shifted. His voice turned ice-cold. "She’s just a clingy nuisance. Why would I care?" Outside the door, my hand froze mid-knock, then slowly lowered. Instead, I grabbed the handle and pushed the door open. Everyone inside paused for a second at my sudden entrance for just a second. Then they went right back to their usual teasing smiles. "Ava, bringing breakfast for Brogan again?" Like clockwork, every single day, Brogan didn’t even look up, as if he’d already expected me to show up. He just tipped his chin lazily toward the desk. "Put it there." I shook my head, then placed the documents—and my resignation letter—on the table together. "It’s not breakfast. It’s my resignation. Mr. Sheppard, please review it." The room went silent. A few of them rushed over, bending down to read the letter. When they saw the words clearly, their expressions shifted to disbelief. "Wait, Ava, you’re serious?" Brogan finally looked up, frowning. His gaze landed on me. "What’s this supposed to be?" I nudged the resignation letter closer to him. "I’m resigning. I’ve emailed you the digital copy too. Don’t forget to check it." Brogan glanced at the letter, irritation creeping into his voice. "Is this because I made you stay late yesterday?" I shook my head. "No. I just don’t want to do this anymore." His expression darkened, inch by inch. Just as I turned to leave, he called out, "Ava, if you walk out now, don’t expect to ever come back to my side." It sounded like a threat or maybe a warning. I didn’t even turn around. "I wouldn’t want to." The atmosphere in the room instantly dropped to freezing. As I pushed the door open and stepped out, I heard cautious voices behind me. "Brogan, she’s just throwing a rich-girl tantrum. Don’t take it seriously…" "Yeah, you know how much she likes you. She’ll probably regret it by this afternoon and come running back…" Brogan stared at the closed door, then let out a cold laugh. "Who cares?" I cleared out everything from my desk. In the end, there was nothing left. Looking at the empty workspace, I almost laughed. Then my mind drifted back to last night. When I’d been stuck at the office working overtime, I received an anonymous video. In a dim, neon-lit private room, Brogan had his arm around a stunning woman, listening lazily as people around him talked. "So Ava’s still playing the obedient worker bee at your company right now?" "What did you expect? Brogan’s got his ways. Despite being a rich girl, she hasn’t shown up to any of our gatherings in ages." Chapter 2 That was true. It was the undeniable truth. For years, I had been relentless in my pursuit of Brogan. Despite my wealthy background, I had lowered myself to the point of exhaustion, laboring tirelessly just to please him. At his slightest request, I would sacrifice my time staying late at the office or attending endless business functions. I pushed myself to the brink, ignoring the toll it took until my health began to fail. What did all that devotion earn me? In the end, I was nothing more than the punchline of a joke shared among his circle of friends. "When you think about it, Ava is basically Brogan’s most well-trained dog," one of them remarked. Brogan simply stood there, swirling the liquid in his glass, offering no defense on my behalf. Instead, he merely let out a soft, dismissive laugh. "What are you talking about? If she’s a dog, then she’s just a dog. Where’d you get ‘most’ from?" The room burst into laughter. As the room erupted in mockery, I felt as if a pail of ice water had been poured over me, chilling me to the bone. The sensation was freezing, yet it provided the sudden clarity I needed to wake up. After reflecting for a moment, I reached for my phone. I navigated to the contact information for the blind date my family had arranged—someone they insisted was a perfect match for me. Previously, I had been so preoccupied with Brogan that I constantly delayed the introduction and even attempted to undermine the arrangement, but that devotion had clearly been misplaced. However, maybe it wasn’t the most ethical move right now. Still, everyone knows the fastest way to get over someone is to start something new. I tapped the screen. "Want to meet tomorrow?" I didn’t expect a reply almost instantly. "Sure." My blind date was a gentleman who told me to pick the time, and he’d handle the place. The problem was that when my parents brought it up before, I hadn’t listened to a single word, so I knew absolutely nothing about him. I arrived early at the agreed location, hesitating outside the entrance. What if I didn’t recognize him later? That would be awkward. As I paced back and forth, I accidentally bumped into someone. I looked up to see a sharply tailored suit. Then, as my gaze traveled higher, I saw features so refined that it almost felt unfair. The man wearing that face was looking at me with a calm, gentle expression. "Why aren’t you going in?" His thin lips were perfectly shaped and almost dangerously kissable. I swallowed before I could stop myself, then immediately realized how inappropriate that was. I knew who he was. Leon Williamson. A major name in the industry. I had seen him countless times on Brogan’s company’s target partnership list. Rumor had it that he was ruthless, cold, and nearly impossible to approach. Not a single collaboration had ever succeeded. I quickly stepped back to give him space. "Sorry, sorry. I’m waiting for someone. I spaced out a little. Please, go ahead." The man in front of me let out a soft laugh. "Miss Bennett." I froze, surprised. How did he know my name? There was a smile lingering in his eyes. "Is it possible… that I'm the person you’re waiting for?" I was stunned. My family had only said they were setting me up with someone significant, but I never imagined it would be someone on Leon’s level. Not until I was sitting across from him in the private room he had arranged. On the surface, I kept a polite smile. Under the table, my hands were flying across my phone, texting my mom like crazy. "You set me up with Leon Williamson? Are we seriously at the level where we can marry into his family now? Have you been secretly getting rich behind my back?" My mom replied instantly with a question mark. "What? What are you talking about? Are you daydreaming in broad daylight? We set you up with Leon’s distant nephew. Did your aunt not explain that properly?" I glanced at the man sitting across from me, smiling calmly. Could there really be two faces like his in the world? When our eyes met, I couldn’t pretend to be busy anymore. I had no choice but to speak, a little awkwardly. "Um… Excuse me, are you… Mr. Leon Williamson?" He nodded, then gave an apologetic smile. Chapter 3 "Yes. It's my fault. I haven’t properly introduced myself yet. "Hello, Miss Bennett. My name is Leon Williamson. I’m your blind date this time. It’s a pleasure to meet you." Short and straight to the point. It was also completely different from the information my mom gave me, so I was thrown off. "But… the person they arranged for me wasn’t—" Leon raised an eyebrow. He picked up his teacup and took a slow sip. "That guy isn’t good enough for you. So I came instead." He looked up at me. "What’s wrong? Do you prefer him?" I froze. The way he said that… Why did it sound like he already knew me? My heart started pounding, but Leon remained perfectly composed, his calm, deep gaze fixed on me without blinking. He was clearly waiting for an answer. I had no choice but to get over my nerves and speak, "Of course not… I don’t even know him." He let out a soft laugh. "Then it’s fine if I take his place?" I swallowed. "I… don’t mind." Of course I didn’t. If anything, he was the one getting the worst end of this deal. Leon appeared truly gratified by my response. Reaching out, he presented a thick booklet and placed it on the table before me. "Excellent. This is my personal dossier," he explained. "It details my history, interests, professional skills, career path, earnings, and financial holdings. Please, feel free to go through it at your own time. "To be perfectly frank, my objective for this meeting is marriage. My social circle doesn't have many women, which allows me to promise absolute fidelity. Once we wed, I intend to uphold every commitment I make today, and that includes a non-compensatory transfer of all my individual assets to your name. "I have no intention of imposing any burden upon my partner, so she will enjoy total freedom as long as our marriage remains intact. If you are alright with these terms, it is my sincere hope that my proposal..." He paused slightly after saying all that. Those striking eyes locked onto mine again, almost deliberately drawing me in. "…can be considered." His voice was warm and low, naturally magnetic. Combined with that face you couldn’t look away from, and the way he was staring straight at me, I was completely dazed. I felt like I was practically floating. Was this some kind of hallucination after being driven insane by Brogan? Under the table, I pinched my thigh hard. Ow. That hurt. So it wasn’t a dream. My face must have gone increasingly vacant, because the flicker of amusement in Leon’s eyes told me I’d once again lost my cool. Trying to recover, I grabbed my glass for a tactical swallow of water before forcing out the question: "Mr. Williamson, are you actually suggesting... that you want to marry me?" He met my gaze, his nod both solemn and resolute. "Indeed. Miss Bennett, I would be honored to be your husband." There was no mistaking his stance. He was firm. I was left utterly reeling. Who exactly asks for marriage the very first time they meet? And for that person to be Leon, a man I had always considered to be in an entirely different league. Nonetheless, he was now sitting across from me, saying sincerely and gently that he wanted to be my husband. It felt unreal. "But… why me?" He seemed to have expected that question. Leaning back casually, tilting his head slightly. "A woman as capable, strong-willed, and beautiful as you is one in a million. Do I really need a reason to want to marry you?" He even raised a brow at me with a faint smile after saying it. He sounded so serious and sincere that I ended up feeling a little embarrassed instead. Chapter 4 I rubbed the bridge of my nose. "But… aren’t your conditions even better?" Leon paused for a rare two seconds, then looked straight into my eyes. "Do you think I’m good?" I froze and swallowed instinctively. I glanced at the table in front of me. Every single dish was perfectly tailored to my taste, clearly chosen with care. I’d actually wanted to comment on it earlier. I’d only asked him out late last night, and he had already figured out my food preferences in such detail the next day. At the very least, as a blind date, he was incredibly sincere. The way he treated people was nothing like the cold, ruthless rumors. On top of that, everything about him, from his background to his capabilities, left no doubt that he was a spectacular catch. I hesitated for a moment. "You… You’re great." Leon visibly brightened, lowering his head with a quiet laugh. He pushed the booklet toward me again. "Well, want to give it a try with me?" I knew he meant marriage. My first instinct was to retreat. This wasn’t even something that had ever appeared in my life plan, but the sincerity in Leon’s emotions was impossible to ignore. I wanted to be honest, too. "We can try getting to know each other first. Heading straight into marriage… isn’t that a little too soon?" At my answer, a flicker of dimness passed through his eyes, but it was gone almost instantly. He nodded obediently. "Okay. We’ll go at your pace." After the meal, Leon had his assistant arrange a driver to send me home. On the way, I overheard part of a conversation between him and his assistant. Only then did I realize that at the exact time I had asked him out, he had originally been scheduled for an important international meeting. Guilt hit me immediately. "Did I make you miss your meeting? I’m sorry, I didn’t know…" Leon waved it off, reassuring me. "It’s nothing. Meetings can happen anytime." Even though everything about his tone and expression told me it wasn’t a big deal, I still felt bad. Noticing my somber mood, Leon leaned in unexpectedly. He brought his face close to mine, his eyes blinking softly. "Anyway," he murmured, "no meeting matters more than finding a wife. It isn't every day that you ask me out." He was so near that I could track the slight flutter of his long eyelashes. In those stunning eyes, I saw nothing but my own reflection staring back. My pulse quickened, the sound of my own heart loud in my ears. "Leon…" I breathed. Perhaps he sensed my agitation, for a faint crimson flush began to creep across the tips of his ears. Gently, he retreated, creating a respectful distance between us once more. "Ahem… I should get back to work." The goodbye was rushed. When he turned and walked away with his long strides, his steps looked a little… unsteady. I watched his back as the car window slowly rolled up. Somehow, I felt a quiet kind of happiness, like I actually liked being around Leon. It wasn’t until evening that Leon finally seemed to be done with work and messaged me. It was a photo of a bright full moon, clearly taken just moments ago. I replied quickly: "That’s beautiful." He replied even faster. "Yeah. It made me think of you." Think of me? My face warmed. "You always this smooth?" He replied like an honest man, "I just said what I thought. Does that count as flirting?" This guy… How did he always maintain a serious expression while saying things that made my heart race? I was still thinking about how to respond when another message popped up. "Are you free for dinner tomorrow?" I didn’t hesitate at all. Chapter 5 "Yeah, I am." Leon never hesitated to take the initiative. During the following days, he and I shared every meal. On the occasions when his schedule permitted, he would accompany me while I shopped after we ate. Having him by my side drew a significant amount of attention from passersby. Following our outings, he would never fail to escort me back home. As if by some sleight of hand, he would always reveal a present from within his vehicle. The gifts varied. At times, he presented me with rare, limited-edition handbags. On other occasions, it was exquisite jewelry of immense value, sourced from high-end auctions. Initially, I was hesitant to receive such lavish items. However, his demeanor became remarkably solemn. "Miss Bennett, if we’re in the stage of getting to know each other, then that means I’m pursuing you. "Giving gifts or anything else is simply part of the cost I should bear. Plus, it’s all well within what I can afford. If you don’t accept them, I’ll take it as you refusing to continue seeing me." As he said that, he lowered his gaze slightly. "Or… is that what you mean?" The look of disappointment on his face left me completely speechless. Ultimately, I was left with no other option but to take the shopping bags home with me. As the days passed, I began to feel as though I was being buried under his wealth. The constant stream of his generosity started to make me feel quite uncomfortable. To return the favor, I arrived at a department store well before our dinner one afternoon, intent on finding a gift for him in return. However, after a lengthy search through the aisles, I realized there wasn’t a single practical item that Leon seemed to actually require. I finally settled on a versatile tie from a brand he frequently wore. Just as I was paying and having it wrapped, a familiar scoff came from behind me. "Ava, finally done throwing your tantrum?" My body stiffened instantly because I knew that voice. Brogan Sheppard. I turned around. Brogan and a few of his friends were standing at the store entrance, looking at me with lazy amusement. I didn’t spare him a second glance. I turned back and continued waiting for the staff to finish wrapping. However, his friends had no intention of letting it go. "Shopping, Ava? That’s a man’s tie. Picking something out for Brogan?" "That style totally matches the suit he’s wearing today. You really put thought into it!" "But after all that fuss, Brogan’s actually pretty annoyed. One tie might not be enough to smooth things over…" Amid the chatter, Brogan let out a low scoff. "Who said I need a tie? But if you apologize properly, I can give you a way out." His voice made my stomach turn. I didn’t even look at him. "I’ve already resigned. I'm Ava Bennett, not your assistant. And this isn’t for Brogan. Can you stop making everything about yourselves?" As soon as I said that, the smug smiles on their faces slowly faded. Brogan’s expression darkened, too. He stared at me for a long moment. "You’re still not done with this act? That’s enough, Ava. I don’t have that much patience." Then he glanced at the neatly wrapped tie in the clerk’s hands, a mocking edge in his tone as he remarked, "A man’s tie… Who else could you possibly be giving it to?" I paid, took the gift, and turned to leave. "For my blind date. Got a problem with that?" Brogan’s eyes narrowed. "Didn’t you say you weren’t going?" I kept walking, the gift bag in hand. "I changed my mind." His voice dropped instantly. "Who is it?" I paused for a second, then chose to tell the truth. "Leon Williamson." The moment that name, which was so well-known in our circle, left my mouth, the group fell into a noticeable silence.